Early Election Results

[ValueSleuth]

O'Neil up to 17 at present (won 2, leading in 15). Somare's party (National Alliance Party) doing well leading in 9. Duma's party with a massive 2 - not looking like the party of kingmaker is it? The counting in his own seat hasn't updated for over a day now - obviously counting the votes himself and keeps getting stuck, maybe Shell will buy him a calculator.

---

Looks like that 'special' calculator is working, Duma now in a big lead:

19 WILLIAM DUMA United Resources Party M 6825
17 JAMES YOKA EKIP Independent M 1565
10 SIMON SANAGKE Papua New Guinea National Party M 1496

Although it certainly appears Duma is a lock to retain his seat, his party is not doing so well. Given that, it is unlikely he'll have sufficient party members elected to be of any significance in the formation of a governing coalition.

Hence, good bye Duma as DPE Minister. Hello, better relations between DPE and the oil/gas companies, including IOC and whatever companies emerge as the operator and/or partner(s) in the Gulf project.

VS

[ValueSleuth]

It looks as if Belden Namah is in some serious jeopardy in his re-election bid.

http://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/20...-seat.html

This may be a blessing for O'Neill's new government.

VS

[Gator]

Looks like that 'special' calculator is working, Duma now in a big lead:

19 WILLIAM DUMA United Resources Party M 6825
17 JAMES YOKA EKIP Independent M 1565
10 SIMON SANAGKE Papua New Guinea National Party M 1496


Not only is it a special calulator, but the last 2535 votes all came in for Duma, none for anyone else. I wonder if the ballots came back in alphabetical order?

[admin]

I was just wondering the same, Gator. It's certainly remarkable, but too soon to draw any conclusions. I can't imagine how Duma could frustrate IOC hooking up with the likes of, say JKM (nor why he would want to do that) without some absolute stranglehold on power, which seems extremely unlikely